City pension reform debate: April 26

San Diego Democrats for Equality will host a debate on Proposition B, the Comprehensive Pension Reform ballot initiative Thursday, April 26.

Moderated by Liam Dillon political writer at the Voice of San Diego, the forum will feature Lani Lutar, president and CEO of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association, speaking in favor of the proposed initiative, and San Diego City Councilmember and Budget Committee Chair Todd Gloria, speaking in opposition.

Prop. B, which will appear on the June 5 primary election ballot, would eliminate traditional pensions for new city employees (excluding police recruits) and replace them with 401(k)-style plans, impose a cap for five years on individual pensionable compensation, and require that pensions for existing and new employees be based strictly on base salaries.

Todd Gloria

Advocates of the initiative say that it will help solve budget shortfalls for the City of San Diego, while opponents point out that this would put public employee’s pensions at risk, and question whether it would actually save the city any money.

Liam Dillon

“There has been a lot of hype about the Comprehensive Pension Reform Initiative. This balanced debate will give voters a chance to hear the facts and make an informed decision on something that will impact our city for decades,” said Doug Case, president of Democrats for Equality.

The event will be held at the Joyce Beers Community Center, located at 3900 Vermont Street in the Uptown District Shopping Center in Hillcrest. The meeting starts with social time at 6:30 p.m., the club business meeting at 7 p.m., and the debate from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.